May 6th 2012 - Joint Border Terrier Clubs' Championship Show

Venue: MyPet Stop

Judge:Mr W Shorthose (Cundytyke)

Entries: 229 for 261

Show Critique:

Many thanks to the Committee of the Border Terrier Club, who were the hosts of this yearâ€™s Joint Border Terrier Club show, for inviting me to judge such a prestigious event. My thanks go, particularly, to my stewards, who kept things running smoothly and enabled me to get through a big entry in an unrushed way.
Overall, I felt the quality was reasonably high, with a lot to like. There were only a few which I felt could have done with a few square meals as they were a bit on the thin side. Exhibitors should know how to balance food intake with exercise to produce dogs in the correct condition. Lack of muscle on more was a greater problem. While the standard states â€˜capable of following a horseâ€™ many would have been tired following one round a stable yard let alone across country. This is evident when dogs are moved but not giving an active breed sufficient exercise also has an effect on their mental wellbeing.
There were a number of untypical heads. I wonder if some people donâ€™t understand the proportions of an otterâ€™s skull as some muzzles were lacking in breadth giving a â€˜foxyâ€™look, while other heads were too rounded giving the impression of a teddy bear. Mouths were not a big problem with only a couple incorrect and coats were also, generally, good. Most exhibits had an undercoat though there were quite a number which had thin skins. A good, thick, loose pelt is essential for a working terrier. Very few could not be spanned, so most would have been capable of getting to ground. A â€˜one size fits allâ€™ attitude does not really apply to working terriers as there are a variety of jobs and situations to be encountered but they do have to be able to get there in the first place.
I was very pleased with my top winners and extend my thanks to all the exhibitors.

Puppy - Dog

Well shaped head, keen expression, neat ear and good length of neck stretching into well angled shoulder. Good top-line and well set tail, Moved with drive from well formed quarters and shown in good coat. BPIS

Junior - Dog

Short, strong muzzle with little stop. Good size and narrow in front, correct angulation in shoulder and stood on good feet. Ribs carried well back and racy loin. Pleasing top-line and tail set. Moved well and shown in really good condition. Well balanced with no exageration. RDCC

Yearling - Dog

Strong headed dog with correct otter-like proportions. Broader muzzle than many, with a keen expression. Strong neck but well placed shoulder. Fairly deep in the chest but could do with more length to rib-cage.

Fairly well up on the leg, but he can be spanned. Narrow front and sound on the move, with feet falling into place without deviation from being straight. Feet rather thin and flat. Long in the back, matched by good rib carried well back. Good tail which is well set on.

Blue and tan with correct ticking through the coat. On the move, not quite as positive behind as 1st . Straight enough in front which reflected his good shoulder. Pleasing, well balanced head and good reach of neck.

Slightly longer cast dog who moved quite well. Good keen, dark eye and he has a lovely flat skull, good straight front, just the right amount of bone and a good bend of stifle. Nice topline and tailset. He has a good jacket, so essential in a working terrier.

Mid Limit - Dog

Good size and weight,. Nothing appears an exaggeration, good head and reach of neck, neat feet. Has a good topline and tailset. Moved with drive in the class but didnâ€™t carry this through in the challenge.

Bigger all through than 1 and wouldnâ€™t want any more of him. Good otter head. Had the necessary harsh, thick coat and good pelt which would afford the right protection. Good tight feet and well set on tail.

Limit - Dog

I wouldnâ€™t want him any bigger or heavier. Plenty of bone, good enough head in proportion to the rest of him with just sufficient reach of neck. Well structured behind and moved positively with drive. Correct harsh coat. Noticably good feet â€“ small, tight and with thick pads.

Open - Dog

Found this a well balanced dog, nicely put together. He has a fairly broad skull and a good eye. Good reach of neck and pleasing shoulder. Deep, narrow body with ribs carried well back. Well constructed in hindquarters and carrying good muscle. He moved freely and positively with a long stride, drive and tracked up well. Shown in a good coat and has a thick pelt. I felt that he was truly â€˜fit for functionâ€™ and very pleased to later learn that he was made up. DCC, BIS

He stands over quite a lot of ground and has everything in the right place. Really good otter head with correct ears dropping close to the cheek. Nice length of neck, good shoulders flowing into a good topline. Today I thought he moved a little closer behind than expected although he was closely considered for a higher reward.

Still a little short of coat today, but a really nice dog. His head is correct with a keen dark eye and well set ears. I liked his neck and shoulders, topline and tailset. He has good feet and moved very soundly. Unlucky to meet the others ahead of him.

Special Working Dog or Bitch

Has a really good otter head, broad skull and strong muzzle with well set ears. Good length of neck and narrow front with well placed shoulder and good length to the ribcage. Moved positively. A bit short of coat today.

The dam of 1, being smaller, she could work anywhere. Well proportioned head, strong jaw for her build and a neat ear. Coat was a little soft but skin thick and loose. Not showing with the same enthusiasm as 1.

Very smart baby, well balanced and moved well both in front and behind. Neat feminine head and nice neck set into well angulated shoulders. Good coat. Will be interested to see how she develops as she matures.

A blue and tan with a really good coat. There is a bit more substance to her than 1. Well proportioned head and very pleasing build to the forequarters. She didnâ€™t move with the drive of the winner today but they all come on at different rates.

Bit lighter built blue and tan whose colouring doesnâ€™t help her ear size/shape. Good outline with topline and well set tail. Racy outline to hindquarters though, to be critical, I would prefer a little more angulation in the hind leg.

Limit - Bitch

Well balanced proportions with a fair head and reach of neck. Moved well and has a good bend of stifle and broad thighs. When standing, appears to fall away a little in the forechest but has good heartroom and ribs are carried well back.

Really good mover, quite probably the best of the day. Absolutely true both coming towards or moving away. Good feminine expression on a head in balance with her construction. Nice length to the neck and shoulders well laid back. Well tucked up, racy hindquarters and good tail â€“ short and thick. Just coming back into coat though what there was, was dense and very harsh. Not surprised that others have previously thought so highly of her. BCC, RBIS.

Very close up 2nd. A little heavier and stronger in build with a lovely head. Strong neck which flows into well laid back shoulders. Correct length to the body and well built hindquarters allowing her to move with drive. Very best of coats. RBCC

A little less to her than some of the others in the class but very well balanced. Really good angulation in the shoulder and her neck flows freely into the topline. The outline picture is completed with the correct tail-set. Moved straight and true.